Drowning in plasticLast January, Thailand kicked off the year and a new decade with the ban on single-use plastic bags, initially adopted by department and convenience stores as well as some other retailers, who would no longer provide customers with the plastic bags in order to lessen the environmental impact. The convenience of dumping used plastic bags and other plastic items takes a toll on the environment. The ban on single-use plastic bags was the first step of the country's long-term plastic waste management plan, which will include measures to stop using other items such as cap seals, plastic cups and straws as well as polystyrene food containers. The deliveries generated piles of small ziplock plastic bags, bubble wrap, packaging tape and delivery boxes at my house. One year after the ban on single-use plastic bags, of which we thought we have made a small win in saving the environment, other forms of plastic pollution need to be further addressed.

Source: Bangkok Post January 24, 2021 23:48 UTC